[NAGDU] Experiences with Guide dog foundation

[Leslie Hamric]

Hi Margo and all. When I went to get omega, I never had a dog switch until I got her. I started out with a male black lab named Luke. He was pretty stressed out from the first morning onwards. He would just not settle and he was constantly licking his paws. This led to his pace being on predictable and then on the last day I had him he would just spin around and harnessed and didn't want to work. So looking back, I probably would've had to send him back even if I did graduate with him. So  I was glad when I got omega and she's just the perfect match for me at this time in my life. Like others have said, mismatches can happen at a bigger school or smaller school. Th The instructors do their best to mash us up with the dogs they think will work for us, but no one knows what that's going to be like until person and dog start working together. I'd like to think of the matches an educated guess. 
Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher

> On Mar 11, 2024, at 10:46 PM, Margo Downey via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Well, I don't have experience with GDF. I am wondering why you believe a smaller school would be better.
> 
> About matches not working out. I had to switch dogs after two weeks in class. Those things just happen. It's unfortunate and no one is to blame. The dog I received during the dog switch was just who I needed and I think she felt I was who she needed.
> 
> The best to you in your research.
> 
> Margo and Tami
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 7:48 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Cindy Ray
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Experiences with Guide dog foundation
> 
> I haven’t had experience with that school, but I wonder what makes you think a smaller school would be better. None of them is really large. I also agree with what Joy says here. Things happen; matches don’t work out. I had three not work out. It isn’t an exact science at all.
> Cindyray at gmail.com
> 
> Cindy Lou
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On Mar 11, 2024, at 6:15 PM, Joy via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Sorry, I don't have any experience with that school. As you are researching,
>> I admonish you to remember that there is normally no blame when a match
>> doesn't work. It isn't you, the dog or the school. It's unfortunate and it
>> hurts but it isn't generally anyone's failure. I've been there once and I
>> feel badly that Major didn't work out but he is back with his puppy raisers
>> and I believe doing well. I will encourage you to look at all aspects of
>> your experience and learn from it.  
>> 
>> Best of luck and a hand extended in support and friendship.
>> 
>> Joy
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sam Doman via NAGDU
>> Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 3:33 PM
>> To: NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Sam Doman <skdoman2001 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [NAGDU] Experiences with Guide dog foundation
>> 
>> 
>> Hi all,
>> I recently had to return my first guide back to leader after 6 months of the
>> match not working. I have been looking into some smaller schools as a
>> possibility and I wondered what kind of experiences people have had with
>> GOODF in NewYork. I obviously understand that the school is not the only
>> factor to consider, I just want to research all my options.
>> Thanks for any help that you can provide.
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>> 
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